February 26, 2012

eco-modern Domespace home in New Paltz rotates with the sun

Minnewaska State Park Preserve is on top of my list for amazing hikes upstate and is only about 90 miles north of Manhattan. Last time I was out there I also took a tour of the rotating Domespace in New Paltz that’s for sale. I’ve been a big fan of dome-shaped homes since my class at MCAD about Buckminster Fuller and his geodesic structures. The Domespace in New Paltz created by the French builder Patrick Marsilli was the first of its kind in the US. From the outside it integrates perfectly into the surrounding wooded area with its red cedar façade. It almost looks unassuming despite its space ship form. Inside the sun-flooded home everything feels incredibly spacious and inviting thanks to big floor to ceiling windows. The living area consists of 2,300-square-feet spread over two floors that are connected through a central spiral staircase. All design elements throughout the eco-dome home are circular like the dining table or kitchen counter. What makes the home so spectacular is that it rotates with the sun to be energy-efficient. The benefit of this incredible passive solar design is that during the summer months you can rotate the windows away from the sun and during the winter towards it. All this happens via remote control. Another eco-conscious feature is that the dome-shaped home does not sit flat on the ground. This reduces its footprint and interference with the existing eco-system. The Domespace combines my love for modern design with eco-friendliness and is close to fantastic hiking, climbing and caving. Why do I live in NYC again?